Prepared by: Sarah Duncan

Instructional Specialist

Portsmouth Public Schools

Essential Vocabulary

• Constitution – A plan of government

• Delegate– A person who represents a group of people at a

meeting• Compromise

– To settle differences by each giving up some demands

• Document– A written paper giving information or proof of

something• Amendment

– An addition to the Constitution

Essential Vocabulary

• Migrate– To move from one place to another

• Culture– A way of life of a group of people

• Tradition– A belief or custom handed down from one

generation to another

Contributions of George Washington

• Washington was elected as the First President of the United States of America.

• He provided strong leadership needed to help the young country.

• He also provided a model of leadership for future presidents.

Contributions of James Madison

• He believed in the importance of having a constitution. He kept detailed notes at the Constitutional Convention.

• His skills at compromise helped the delegates reach agreement during the writing of the Constitution.

The Virginia Declaration of Rightsby George Mason

• States that all Virginians should have certain rights, including freedom of religion and press.

• The document became the basis for the Bill of Rights to the Constitution

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, by Thomas Jefferson

• States that all people should be free to worship as they please

• Was the basis for the First Amendment to the Constitution which protects religious freedom

After the American Revolution, Virginia’s agricultural base began to change. Large numbers of Virginians moved west and south to find better farmland and new opportunities.

Reasons for Leaving

• Tobacco farming was hard on the soil, causing many farmers to look west and south for new land to farm

• Virginians migrate into western territories looking for large areas of land and new opportunities

• As Virginians moved, they took their traditions, ideas, and cultures with them

• Settlers crossed the Appalachian Mountains through the Cumberland Gap as they migrated to new lands in the west

Why is George Washington known as the “Father of Our Country”?

A. He was the first delegate to the House of burgesses

B. He was the first President of the United States

C. He led the French Troops in the French and Indian War

D. He was the first Virginia plantation owner

Why is James Madison known as the “Father of the Constitution”?

A. He was the first person to sign the document

B. He was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention

C. He was the first President of the United States

D. He helped the delegates reach compromises when they disagreed

What was the influence of the Virginia Declaration of Rights on

the Constitution of the United States?

A. Basis for the Declaration of Independence

B. Basis for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution

C. Basis for the Treaty of ParisD. Basis for the Charters of the Virginia

Company of London

Which of the following reasons best describes the reason (s) why Virginians

moved west and to the deep south?

A. The conflicts between the French and English

B. New gold fields were discovered

C. Tobacco farming was hard on the soil

D. To start new English colonies

Through what area did Virginians travel as they migrated west across

the Appalachian Mountains?A. Chesapeake Bay

B. Eastern Shore

C. Cumberland Gap

D. Coastal Plain